Expo React Native Performance Best Practices

Comprehensive performance optimization guide for Expo React Native applications. Contains 42 rules across 8 categories, prioritized by impact to guide automated refactoring and code generation.

When to Apply

Reference these guidelines when:

• Writing new React Native components or screens
• Implementing lists with FlatList or FlashList
• Adding animations or transitions
• Optimizing images and asset loading
• Reviewing code for performance issues

Rule Categories by Priority

Priority	Category	Impact	Prefix
1	App Startup & Bundle Size	CRITICAL	startup-
2	List Virtualization	CRITICAL	list-
3	Re-render Optimization	HIGH	rerender-
4	Animation Performance	HIGH	anim-
5	Image & Asset Loading	MEDIUM-HIGH	asset-
6	Memory Management	MEDIUM	mem-
7	Async & Data Fetching	MEDIUM	async-
8	Platform Optimizations	LOW-MEDIUM	platform-

Quick Reference

1. App Startup & Bundle Size (CRITICAL)

• startup-enable-hermes - Enable Hermes JavaScript engine
• startup-remove-console-logs - Remove console logs in production
• startup-splash-screen-control - Control splash screen visibility
• startup-preload-assets - Preload critical assets during splash
• startup-async-routes - Use async routes for code splitting
• startup-cherry-pick-imports - Use direct imports instead of barrel files

2. List Virtualization (CRITICAL)

• list-use-flashlist - Use FlashList instead of FlatList
• list-estimated-item-size - Provide accurate estimatedItemSize
• list-get-item-type - Use getItemType for mixed lists
• list-stable-render-item - Stabilize renderItem with useCallback
• list-get-item-layout - Provide getItemLayout for fixed heights
• list-memoize-items - Memoize list item components

3. Re-render Optimization (HIGH)

• rerender-use-memo-expensive - Memoize expensive computations
• rerender-use-callback-handlers - Stabilize callbacks with useCallback
• rerender-functional-setstate - Use functional setState updates
• rerender-lazy-state-init - Use lazy state initialization
• rerender-split-context - Split context by update frequency
• rerender-derive-state - Derive state instead of syncing

4. Animation Performance (HIGH)

• anim-use-native-driver - Enable native driver for animations
• anim-use-reanimated - Use Reanimated for complex animations
• anim-layout-animation - Use LayoutAnimation for simple transitions
• anim-transform-not-dimensions - Animate transform instead of dimensions
• anim-interaction-manager - Defer heavy work during animations

5. Image & Asset Loading (MEDIUM-HIGH)

• asset-use-expo-image - Use expo-image for image loading
• asset-prefetch-images - Prefetch images before display
• asset-optimize-image-size - Request appropriately sized images
• asset-use-webp-format - Use WebP format for images
• asset-recycling-key - Use recyclingKey in FlashList images

6. Memory Management (MEDIUM)

• mem-cleanup-subscriptions - Clean up subscriptions in useEffect
• mem-clear-timers - Clear timers on unmount
• mem-abort-fetch - Abort fetch requests on unmount
• mem-avoid-inline-objects - Avoid inline objects in props
• mem-limit-list-data - Limit list data in memory

7. Async & Data Fetching (MEDIUM)

• async-parallel-fetching - Fetch independent data in parallel
• async-defer-await - Defer await until value needed
• async-batch-api-calls - Batch related API calls
• async-cache-responses - Cache API responses locally
• async-refetch-on-focus - Refetch data on screen focus

8. Platform Optimizations (LOW-MEDIUM)

• platform-android-overdraw - Reduce Android overdraw
• platform-ios-text-rendering - Optimize iOS text rendering
• platform-android-proguard - Enable ProGuard for Android release
• platform-conditional-render - Platform-specific optimizations

How to Use

Read individual reference files for detailed explanations and code examples:

• Section definitions - Category structure and impact levels
• Rule template - Template for adding new rules

Full Compiled Document

For the complete guide with all rules expanded, see AGENTS.md.

Reference Files

File	Description
AGENTS.md	Complete compiled guide with all rules
references/_sections.md	Category definitions and ordering
assets/templates/_template.md	Template for new rules
metadata.json	Version and reference information